When you are arrested for driving under the influence or DUI, your conviction will have a negative impact on your life in many ways. Aside from the large fines you will have to pay or the jail time you will have to serve, your DUI record will have a significant impact on your auto insurance rates, driving privileges and employment opportunities. A DUI record is permanent and its effect on your life will last for at least ten years. Considering the domino effect that driving under the influence brings, you need to get a well experienced lawyer to represent you in court. If you do not understand how serious a DUI conviction is, then you should become aware of the three major ways it will affect your life.
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1. How DUI Affects Auto Insurance
When you are convicted for driving under the influence, there will be an increase of 5 percent to 100 percent in your auto insurance rates. Your driving record will have details of your DUI conviction and this will push your insurance agency to review your policy and determine the rate you deserve as a high risk driver. However, higher rate increases are often imposed if a driver was involved in a car accident while driving under the influence and not just arrested at a sobriety checkpoint.
2. How DUI Affects Driving Privileges
After you have been arrested for DUI, there are also driving privileges that may be affected. Your driver’s license may be immediately suspended and your vehicle may be confiscated until the administrative costs are paid. However, you can apply for a temporary driver’s license and request for an administrative hearing where you may petition for limited driving privileges or against license suspension. If you have a history of DUI, you may be ordered by the court to install an ignition interlock device in the vehicle under your expense. This device tests the breath of drivers and automatically prevents car operation if the blood alcohol level is above the minimum level.
3. How DUI Affects Employment Opportunities
Almost every job position these days require a background check so hiding your DUI record from your potential employers will be an impossible task. If you are currently employed, getting to work on time will be difficult if your license has been suspended or if your vehicle has been impounded. In cases of community service, the hours given by the judge may interfere with your work schedule and place you under an unfavorable relationship with your employer. All these hindrances easily contribute to poor work performance and finally lead to your employer’s decision to terminate your employment. When you lose your job, you lose monthly income which will prevent you from settling all court fines and fees.
Do Not Let Your DUI Put Your Life On Hold
Overall, having a DUI record will seriously affect your life. However, you sill have the opportunity to get back the life you had by expunging your DUI record if you qualify. When you have your conviction expunged, you no longer have to disclose your DUI to employers or anyone who conducts a background check on you. You will also be able to be re-licensed and make arrangements with your auto insurance agency to return your rates as it was before the DUI after a certain period of time.
[box_light]Valerie Gordon is a freelance writer specializing in cars, driving and the law. She also blogs about DUI prevention and how driving under the influence is an accident waiting to happen. To consult with a reliable DUI lawyer, you can contact Action Legal Group, PLLC .[/box_light]
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